Red Seas Fire – Resolution review

Today marks the release of Resolution, the third in a trilogy of EPs from West-country progressive metallers, Red Seas Fire. The original aim for the trilogy was for all three offering to be released in a year, making up an album’s worth of worth; frontman Robin Adams explain. “Due to assorted factors such as line-up changes, it’s ended up being almost one E.P release per year instead, but I feel there has been a creative benefit to that, as we got to really digest the music that we were putting out, before having to rush to write/record the next one. This has allowed us to be more critical of ourselves, to really look back on what we’d created and understand how to push and try to better each future release.”

It takes a little while for opening Hourglass to really kick off, but once it does, you certainly notice it. Harsh vocals pair up with fast, colourful riffs for a heavy impact that hints at a lighter edge. As the high, clean vocals cut in, a dramatic shift in the music puts more emphasis on the lighter side of the music, but the full heavy weight of the track slams down in the final bars.

Blood Bank gives little chance for anything other than full-on riffs to get a word in edgeways at the opening, layering up even more to show just how metal they are. Clearer vocals highlight the relatable and accessible lyricism, just after the music drops to a carefully orchestrated, tight standstill and before an electronica moments winds up the track.

At nearly nine minutes, The Mistakes We Make is the longest off the record, but just before its midpoint the track seems to split in two. Losing the consistent riffs and doesn’t-that-hurt harsh vocals, the band take a minute to build the sound up with gentle instrumental akin to the close of Deaf Havana’s I Will Try, before they re-harness the big riffs and turn things up a notch again.

Picking up where its predecessor left off, Ocean Death’s first half is the calmest part of the record, once again flicking back to the full pelt, heavy sound Red Seas Fire execute so well. The band truly go all-out with energy on the record, throwing it into every moment all the force they can. The EPs’ titles and the band’s music share a common theme; work of a cinematic and epic nature. A triumphant conclusion to the trilogy.

Check out our track by track from the band here, and listen to Blood Bank below.